We flew to Milan to stay two nights. We booked into the newly renovated 'Four Seasons Hotel'. This had once been an old convent converted to a five star hotel. We had a very good room. The hotel is situated in via Gesu in the heart of the city and surrounded by the shopping district, with only a short walk to the Duomo square.
We arrived quiet late but had enough time for a quick walk around the area and familiarize ourselves with surroundings. The shops here are stunning and enticing.
The following we get up early for a walk to Duomo square, Victor Emanuelle galleria. After breakfast we return to the shops and have to buy some clothes as the quality is so good. We then have lunch at restaurant 'Biffi', which was the name Max and Michael used for their restaurant 'Bar Biffi' in Melbourne.
We ended the day with pampering, massage, haircut and nails, then dinner in a famous small restaurant 'Matarel', serving Milanese food. We had tagliatelle with truffles and shared Osso Buco milanese, with a bottle of Brunello red wine. A delicious meal.
Thursday, we hired a car and head off to Perugia to see Tricia and Stefano, whilst on our way back towards Sicily.
The concierge at the hotel thinks we are mad driving a 1000kms to Sicily. The roads are good and it takes about four hours to get to Perugia. It is great to see Tricia and Stefano again as it has been months since we last met. We have dinner out at an old farmhouse 'Refectorium', which has great local homestyle cooking.
We are heading off tomorrow towards the east coast but have no definite destination for the night. We are becoming more relaxed about last minute arrangements particularly now it is towards the end of the season.
JB and Mick